Democratic Assemblymember Akilah Weber jumped to a fast lead Tuesday in the 39th Senate District race to replace the seat being vacated by Sen. Toni Atkins, D-San Diego.
Returns show Weber pulling in 60.8% of the vote to defeat Republican challenger Bob Divine.
Weber, who is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, entered local politics in 2018 when she was elected to the La Mesa City Council. She is the daughter of Secretary of State Shirley Weber.
Divine, a retired Navy commander, bills himself as a “father, teacher, coach, citizen soldier, statesman, preacher & entrepreneur.”
A Republican has not held the seat since 1989 when Larry Sterling resigned after being appointed as a municipal court judge and succeeded by Democrat Lucy Killea.
Weber campaigned with a slogan of “Prescribing a healthier future,” seeking equitable health outcomes, creating academic achievement and improved environmental health.
District 39 encompasses most of the city of San Diego north of SR-94, as well as the communities of Coronado, Del Mar, Solana Beach and portions of unincorporated Rancho Santa Fe.
